A Middlesbrough grandmother who could barely walk after an operation is taking legal action against the hospital that performed it.

Annabel Stonebanks had surgery to remove a bunion on her left big toe at the James Cook University Hospital, which she said left her in so much pain she could not wear shoes.

Three years on, the 57-year-old has undergone corrective surgery where, she claims, doctors found the bone hanging out of its socket.

"The consultant told me the bone had fallen out of its socket during the first operation," she said."

The grandma of 12, from Creswell Road, Middlesbrough, knew something was seriously wrong when the plaster was taken off after the first operation in May 2002.

She said: "My toe was pointing outwards. It looked like a 'V' shape. I was very worried."

She said she was told her toe would go back into its correct position once she started wearing proper shoes, but even after seven weeks of physiotherapy it stayed in the same position.

"It was very painful. It's been that bad sometimes I've been crying with it. It was like that constantly."

The mother of five is bringing up her three-year-old granddaughter Catlin, but had to have help to care for her.

"It's stopped me getting around so I haven't been very mobile. I've lost my balance quite a lot and I've fallen down the stairs."

Miss Stonebanks' GP referred her back to the hospital at least four times. She was told her toe would go back to normal.

This year, she got to see the consultant who did the original operation and he said she would need more surgery.

"I was angry, but at the time I was relieved as I could finally get my toe sorted out.

Miss Stonebanks had to have a screw put through her toe in the second operation, which was carried out privately and funded by the NHS.

"It feels different this time and there is no pain," she said.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman Lesley Connor said: "We are sorry Miss Stonebanks feels upset with her treatment and appreciate this is a difficult time for her. We can confirm we have received a letter from her solicitor and we are looking into the situation."